Nickname(s) | Socceroos |
---|---|
Association | Football Federation Australia |
Confederation | AFC (Asia) |
Sub-confederation | AFF (South-East Asia) |
Head coach | Ange Postecoglou |
Captain | Mile Jedinak |
Most caps | Mark Schwarzer (109) |
Top scorer | Tim Cahill (48) |
FIFA code | AUS |
FIFA ranking | |
Current | 54 10 (9 February 2017) |
Highest | 14 (September 2009) |
Lowest | 102 (November 2014) |
Elo ranking | |
Current | 36 (18 January 2017) |
Highest | 9 (November 2001) |
Lowest | 75 (November 1965) |
First international | |
New Zealand 3–1 Australia (Dunedin, New Zealand; 17 June 1922) |
|
Biggest win | |
Australia 31–0 American Samoa (Coffs Harbour, Australia; 11 April 2001) (World Record for senior international matches) |
|
Biggest defeat | |
Australia 0–8 South Africa (Adelaide, Australia; 17 September 1955) |
|
World Cup | |
Appearances | 4 (first in 1974) |
Best result | Round of 16, 2006 |
Asian Cup | |
Appearances | 3 (first in 2007) |
Best result | Champions, 2015 |
OFC Nations Cup | |
Appearances | 6 (first in 1980) |
Best result | Champions, 1980, 1996, 2000 and 2004 |
Confederations Cup | |
Appearances | 4 (first in 1997) |
Best result | Runners-up, 1997 |
Website | socceroos |
The Australian national soccer team represents Australia in international men's soccer. Officially nicknamed the Socceroos, the team is controlled by the governing body for soccer in Australia, Football Federation Australia (FFA), which is currently a member of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the regional ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) since leaving the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) in 2006.
Australia is the only national team to have been a champion of two confederations, having won the OFC Nations Cup four times between 1980 and 2004, as well as the AFC Asian Cup at the 2015 event on home soil. The team has represented Australia at the FIFA World Cup tournament on four occasions, in 1974, 2006, 2010 and 2014. The team has also represented Australia at the FIFA Confederations Cup three times.
The first Australia national team was constituted in 1922 for a tour of New Zealand. During the tour, Australia suffered two defeats and scraped a draw. For the next 36 years, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa became regular opponents in tour (exhibition) matches. During that period, Australia also competed against Canada and India during their tours of Australia in 1924 and 1938 respectively. Australia recorded their worst ever defeat on 30 June 1951 as they lost 17–0 in a test match to a touring England side. Australia had a rare opportunity to compete on the world's stage during the team's very first major international tournament as hosts of the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. However, an inexperienced squad proved to be reason for the team's disappointing performance. With the advent of cheap air travel, Australia began to diversify its range of opponents. However, its geographical isolation continued to play a role in its destiny for the next 30 years.